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The Early Word: If there’s a team ripe for an upset in the first round it just might be the Anaheim Ducks. Head coach Bruce Boudreau, going back to his days with the Washington Capitals, hasn’t had a lot of success recreating regular-season excellence in the post-season. The Ducks were the second seed last year in the Western Conference and lost to the Detroit Red Wings in the first round. The Dallas Stars have a couple of dynamic young stars in Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin (163 points combined) and they will be a handful for anybody. I’m not sure the Ducks defence has anybody who can shut those two down. Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen played well down the stretch (he won eight of his last 11 starts).

RECORDS

Anaheim Ducks, 54-20-8

Dallas Stars, 40-31-11

2014 season series: Dallas 2-1

Playoffs: 6-6 (two meetings all-time)

ANAHEIM

STRENGTHS: Not only do the Ducks have the dynamic duo of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry leading the way, they have excellent depth at forward, with scoring all the way through the third line with the likes of Teemu Selanne, Andrew Cogliano, Jakob Silfverberg and Mathieu Perreault. They also have a potent and experienced defence corps that adds to the mix very well.

WEAKNESSES: Goaltending is supposed to be a strength with Jonas Hiller and Frederick Andersen plus John Gibson waiting in the wings. The problem is there are question marks with all three. Hiller has struggled in his last few games, Andersen is nursing an injury and Gibson is yet to celebrate his 21st birthday. Considering how much scrutiny the twineminders have in the playoffs, it's not a comfortable position.

INTANGIBLES: Playoff success has not followed the Ducks since winning the Stanley Cup in 2007. They were bounced by the Detroit Red Wings in the first round last season, losing the final two games after holding a 3-2 series lead. Will history repeat itself for head coach Bruce Boudreau – whose playoff record isn't great – and his squad or can they finally get over the hump?

DALLAS

STRENGTHS: Let's be honest, the Stars are not particularly great in any category. Yet, here they are in the playoffs and a few reasons come to mind. They have a fantastic top line with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin as the cornerstones. They have an excellent goalie in Kari Lehtonen. They have an under-rated defence corps and solid veterans who can still contribute.

WEAKNESSES: The drop off after the first two lines is huge, especially if Ray Whitney can't return to top form from injury. As much as Erik Cole and Shawn Horcoff have been through playoff battles, they're not the impact players they used to be. But, if they can somehow get on a roll, they could help the cause.

INTANGIBLES: Experience here is at a premium among the key personnel. Sure, Seguin skated in 42 playoff games with the Boston Bruins, but never as a No. 1 centre. Defenceman Alex Goligoski played two games for Pittsburgh when the Penguins won the Stanley Cup in 2009. For most of the impact players this is the first chance at NHL playoff hockey.

POSSIBLE HEROES

Ducks: Patrick Maroon bounces between the top two lines and often is on the first power play unit.

Stars: Antoine Roussel has developed from being a pesky fighter to a gritty player that chips in big goals alongside Cody Eakin.

THE BOTTOM LINE

On the surface, it should be an easy series win for the high-scoring Ducks. But, there are all kinds of reasons to believe it'll be closer than expected. Dallas won the season series. The Stars have more stability with their goalie choice. Still, watch for a Ducks win in a tight series.